Commack United Methodist Church 486 Townline Road Commack, NY 11725-2026 - 631.499.7310

Web Site: http://www.commack-umc.org [email protected] Emails: [email protected]

226 YEARS OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE IN COMMACK 1783-2009 Rev. Lynda Bates-Stepe, Pastor 631.499.4770 Carolyn Gehlbach, Editor NOVEMBER 2009

Open Hearts

Open Minds

A Word Fr from the Pastor

Open Doors

Those who receive support through the PDF may be related to the congregation or they may be people who come by the church seeking help. Many times they are people who have stopped by several times so they are not strangers to us. Each person is treated with respect and compassion; often the time spent talking and at times praying together is as important to them as the financial support. The gifts are kept confidential.

We are quickly moving into winter and the holiday season. Soon we will be decorating and setting up for Christmas, including our Angel Tree. For those who are not familiar with the Angel Tree, it is a Christmas tree adorned with angels. Each angel includes information on a gift or donation that individuals and families can make to help someone during the holiday season. It may be toys for a child or clothes for a teen or specialty food items for a family.

It is heartening to help others in great need. The thanks and appreciation they show is very affirming. It is a way that we are the Body of Christ, seeking to share God’s love with others. As you make plans for this holiday, consider choosing an angel and making a gift or donation for those in need. As you chose, purchase and bring in your gift, do so offering prayers for those who will receive it, that God’s blessing may be known to them. And as you participate, know the blessings of God that are yours through the Christ whose birth we celebrate at Christmas and all year round.

Another option is the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund or PDF. This fund is a resource for me to use as the need arises. I may use it to buy gas, pay for prescription medicine or help pay a utility bill. If there is a legitimate need, the PDF gives me a way to offer direct help. The amount is never much, usually $15.00 -25.00. The fund is administered through the Trustee account; John Muller is currently the Trustee Treasurer. When the need arises I request the money from him.

Peace, ~Rev. Lynda

THANKSGIVING SERVICES of WORSHIP 1

Wednesday November 25th

WOMEN

12 Noon 7:30 PM “We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing” Let us gather and give thanks to God for all the blessings we receive.

.

ANNUAL FALL FAIR     This annual event is a day of  fun, fellowship and fundraising for Commack UMC.   It’s been a tradition for many, many years.  John  Muller has been ably chairing the fair for the last 15  or more years and this is his last year.  We are  grateful to John and others who have made this  event so special and successful.  

NOVEMBER: Margie Zoltowski is leading our November 12th meeting with a pledge service. Cyndi Pinkham, chair of the Nominating Committee will then conduct an election of officers for the year 2010. Dot Megna will be our hostess for the evening and all women in the congregation and friends are invited The date for a timely collection of Christmas gifts for our adopted Appalachian family will be announced, these packages must be mailed early as they are first delivered to Dr. Judy Matheny, Deaconess, and our liason, before delivery to the Booker family.

However, in order to continue the tradition, we  need a new chairperson or team to lead it.  John has  written up wonderful, detailed instructions on fair  preparations and set up.  And he is available as a  consultant for whoever steps up to the plate.  Is it  your turn to help bring about this special day?   Please speak with John Muller or Rev. Lynda if you’d  like to explore the possibilities.  Thank you! Rev. Lynda

ADVENT commences on Sunday, November 29 and ends EPIPHANY SUNDAY , January 3, 2010. I am looking forward to our Church's Christmas decor, volunteer assistance would be appreciated. Kathy Muller

ANNUAL FALL FAIR These are the total amounts for Saturday and Sunday's Fair .John & I thought the congregation would be interested in the final count. Everyone worked hard and well, plus the advantage of good fellowship .John & Kathy Muller

DECEMBER UMW will meet on : December 10th at 7:30 pm, DEADLINE for the DECEMBER/JANUARY MESSENGER IS NOVEMBER 10TH. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Korean Lunch.............$ 100.00 Collectibles................. 166.40 Baskets........................ 215.00 Country Kitchen.......... 294.65 Bake Table................. 432.10 Boutique.................... 810.71 Total ................... $ 2018.86

HAPPY NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS Doug Miller Dottie Arola Sean Kessler Jake Reddo Bert Waidelich Dan D’Amato Lisa Reddo Christopher Bagno Jeanette Sehringer

I would like,to thank all who participated in a very successful fair. All the volunteer workers, donors and customers did a terrific job to make the day a pleasant and profitable one. All proceeds will be used for church current expenses. Thanks to all, John Muller UNITED METHODIST

Reverend Lynda Bates-Stepe Pat Ross, Jim Medina, Joan Kopping, Jackie Malgraff , Steven Waidelich, Sarah Mackay, Gail Stroup, Vicky O'Connell

Memorial Committee 2

Over the years, memorials have provided appropriate and meaningful ways of remembering those whose lives have meant so much to us. In the past, memorials honoring loved ones or gifts given in honor of individuals or events have added greatly to the dignity and beauty of our church buildings.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please speak to anyone on the Memorial Committee. Gifts, however are channeled through the Church Treasurer via mail or offering plate.

They will contribute greatly to the church’s ministry in the future.

Martha Lockhart, Lille May Cummings, Norma Adam

The Memorial Committee of Commack United Methodist Church welcomes your consideration of these gifts. Each one is gratefully acknowledged and recorded in the Book of Remembrance and is dedicated each fall on the Day of All Saints. The Book of Remembrance is located in the Memorial desk located near the entrance doors.

___________________________

Memorial Committee Kathy Muller, chairperson

Gifts may be sent to Commack United Methodist Church, 486 Town Line Road, Commack, N.Y. 11725 or placed in the offering plate during Sunday morning worship.

THANKSGIVING BASKETS AND WORSHIP COMMITTEE WORSHIP COMMITTEE Donations are requested to purchase fresh food for Thanksgiving. The fresh food will be used to decorate the altar and to donate to families in need. A basket will be placed on the table at the rear of the sanctuary for collections, in November. Thank you. Sobana Prasad

Each gift is promptly acknowledged to the donor and appropriate cards sent to the family of the person being remembered. Donors and persons so remembered do not have to be members of the church. Gifts to the Memorial Fund are used for special items and also current expense, if so designated by the donor. Suggestions for special uses are always welcome and are approved by the committee, in consultation, when necessary, with the family, pastor and trustees.

ANNUAL THANKSGIVING BASKETS Those wishing to donate a Turkey or Gift Card from the Super-Market towards our Annual Baskets are encouraged to do so. Please let the Church Office know if you plan to donate, as it is helpful to the committee to know what will be coming in ahead of time. Questions??? Please call Anne Tammaro -- cell:434.5627 HARVEST DINNER for NOVEMBER 14TH It is that time again..Keep this date open,

Some suggestions are: Chapel Fund, Pastor’s Discretionary Fund, Social Concerns Building Fund , Church repairs or Undesignated for special projects 3

Saturday,Novemberf 14th for our annual all you Can eat roast beef dinner.

Harriet Neubert has agreed to join Anne T. and Patti S in the EVERYDAY operations of the shop. We are in such need of volunteers… If you can not commit to a specific time, just stop in anytime, we are open and your hands will be put to use. Call Marge Wright, at 543-1873, to be assigned a particular time slot. If you have never visited the Thrift Shoppe, stop in. We have many seasonal items and great prices. There were 26 people at our Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, honoring our Super Volunteer, Joe Megna. Good Company, Great food and a good time.

Tickets are available The price is the same. $12.00-Adults; $5.00 children 6-10 and Free under 5. We hope that you will be a part of our celebration. This is a community function as it takes more than cooks in the kitchen to make this a great event. As usual we need all the help and support that you can give. There will be a sign-up sheet in the hall for volunteers. Thank You, Patti and Gery Spory _____________________________________ I GIVE SUPPORT Use Internet Shopping to Support Our Church If you shop on the internet then you might be interested in a new service that takes a part of the seller’s profits at certain stores and sends them to your favorite cause.IGive.com is a new way to give to your favorite cause, including Commack United Methodist Church. Once you register at http://www.iGive.com and follow the directions, certain internet purchases will go to your favorite cause, all without costing you any additional money. _________________________________ Sounds too good to be true? There’s more! You can designate that the donations are made in your name then if you're donating to an organization that qualifies under section 170 of the IRS code as a nonprofit, your donation may be considered taxdeductible. HOW IT WORKS: 1. Join iGive.com to support Commack United Methodist Church It's free, safe, and easy to join. http://www.iGive.com/html/refer.cfm?memberid=54 0070&causeid=44180 2. Shop through iGive.com OR just surf their stores Their online mall features over 680 online stores 3. Watch the $$ roll in for Commack United Methodist Church! Up to 26% of EACH purchase is donated, plus a bonus $5 donation if you shop within 45 days.

This Last Page of the November Messenger appears on-line on the Web site only. Carolyn Gehlbach Editor November 3,2009

THRIFT SHOPPE NEWS Now we are a TRI chairwomen. 4